Mode switching

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatuses, a method, computer programs and computer-readable media for controlling mode change from a normal cellular communication mode to a machine-to-machine or device-to-device communication mode and to ensure sequence number synchronization between a sender and receiver ends when said mode change is performed. The mode change control is performed by controlling the duration of the transition period for switching from the cellular communication mode to the machine-to-machine or device-to-device mode and by using a temporary server for transmission of a desired data flow or by sending at least one dummy packet.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
 control duration of a transition period for switching to a machine-to-machine communication mode; 
 control synchronization of data flows during the transition period; 
 control stopping of sending data and sending of at least one dummy packet, the at least one dummy packet being used for controlling a progress of the switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode; and 
 prepare configuration of end-user devices of data sending and receiving sides for switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the duration of a transition period for switching to a machine-to-machine communication mode is controlled by using a timer. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein if the transition period timer expires without a report of succeeded data transfer, a post data synchronization is invoked after switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein data is packet data and identified with a packet data convergence protocol sequence number. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein in switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode, the packet data convergence protocol sequence number is modified or reset. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a control field is added to a first data unit sent on a temporary radio bearer and with a modified sequence number. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein after the switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode, a first data packet comprises information on it to be the first data packet after transmission via a cellular bearer has been terminated. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus comprising a node device or network control device. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
 in case of a plurality of data flows being mapped or multiplexed on a bearer, extract a desired data flow from the bearer; 
 map the desired data flow on a temporary bearer for transmission; and 
 add control information to the temporary bearer for transmission during a transition period for switching to a machine-to-machine communication mode; 
 in case of at least one dummy packet being used for controlling a progress of switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode, terminate conveyance of the at least one dummy packet by reporting receiving of the at least one dummy packet. 
 
 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 controlling duration of a transition period for switching to a machine-to-machine communication mode; and 
 controlling synchronization of data flows during the transition period; 
 controlling stopping of sending data and sending of at least one dummy packet, the at least one dummy packet being used for controlling a progress of the switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode; and 
 preparing configuration of end-user devices of data sending and receiving sides for switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the duration of a transition period for switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode is controlled by using a timer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein if the transition period timer expires without a report of succeeded data transfer, a post data synchronization is invoked after switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein data is packet data and identified with a packet data convergence protocol sequence number. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein in switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode, the packet data convergence protocol sequence number is modified or reset. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , wherein a control field is added to a first data unit sent on a temporary radio bearer and with a modified sequence number. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10 , wherein after the switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode, a first data packet comprises information on it to be the first data packet after transmission via a cellular bearer has been terminated. 
     
     
       17. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer program product comprising program code for controlling a processor to execute a process, the process comprising:
 controlling duration of a transition period for switching to a machine-to-machine communication mode; 
 controlling synchronization of data flows during the transition period; 
 controlling stopping of sending data and sending of at least one dummy packet, the at least one dummy packet being used for controlling a progress of the switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode; and 
 preparing configuration of end-user devices of data sending and receiving sides for switching to the machine-to-machine communication mode.